Founded in 2014, Yacht Harbour has now gone through nearly 3 years of rapid growth, packed with milestones and interesting events. In this list are 11 things about Yacht Harbour that are not widely known, but we thought were interesting enough to share.
#1 Yacht Harbour started as an Instagram channel
Even though Yacht Harbour's initial plan was to build a web platform for a marketplace of yachts for sale, the company started an Instagram account in August 2014 to get some sort of traction, ahead of the launch of its website in December of that year.
At a time when no yachting media companies were on the platform, the strategy proved successful and saw Yacht Harbour get to 10,000 followers in under 4 months. This, in turn, proved instrumental to getting the first users to Yacht Harbour.
#2 We power instant results for a Top 5 search engine
Another little known fact about Yacht Harbour is that the company's index powers an instant result snippet for search engine, DuckDuckGo. One of the 5 available search settings on an iPhone, DuckDuckGo is a search engine built with privacy in mind.
Any user searching for a particular yacht on the platform, will see on top of search results an image of the yacht with it's main specifications, which DuckDuckGo displays using an API built by Yacht Harbour on top of its database for the search engine.
#3 News coverage was first meant as a content marketing play
Even though our audience is now spread evenly across its superyacht marketplace and its news section, Yacht Harbour's editorial coverage was started only in October 2015 to act as a content marketing vehicle for its search platform.
Despite these plans, news coverage rapidly evolved and grew to serve the purposes of a true media company, which Yacht Harbour has since become. Stories broken by our news department are now often used as sources by international media such as the BBC, CNBC and others.
#4 We built a chat bot to answer any yachting question
Developed in a wave of growing excitement over chat bots, Brook became the first chat bot in yachting that used a combination of machine learning, natural language recognition and big data to answer any question related to yacht.
Although Brook was since retired due to a lack of users, Yacht Harbour did manage to build a working version, answering over 80% of asked questions. Its original interface can still be seen here. When live it was even accessible from the Telegram messaging platform.
#5 Our content can be found on Forbes and Business Insider
As part of its content distribution strategy, Yacht Harbour struck deals with Business Insider to distribute part of its English-language content and to contribute stories to the French and Russian versions of Forbes.
With news stories around yachting and articles trying to open up the field to a more general audience, this content was read over 2 million times so far in 2017.
#6 We ran a crowdfunding campaign in our first year
Far from today's peak of attention around ICOs, Yacht Harbour ran a crowdfunding campaign in 2015 as an experiment, ahead of the launch of its charter marketplace to offer heavily discounted deals and lifetime advantages for participants.
Through the campaign, Yacht Harbour raised just under $3,000 from a series of contributors. The value of some the items offered then by Yacht Harbour has grown over 1,000x today.
#7 We get 10 million impressions of our content every month
Having rapidly grown from the 23 visitors Yacht Harbour on the day of it's launch, the company's combined channels now reach over 10 million impressions every month. This figure includes Yacht Harbour's website traffic, social media reach and audience on third-party platforms.
#8 There are sometimes easter eggs on Yacht Harbour
Sometimes overtaken by the holiday spirit, Yacht Harbour's homepage can sometimes change to adopt a special skin for limited times as seen above. So far, the company has dressed up its website for Halloween, Christmas and New Year's Eve but other events may soon be coming.
#9 One million minutes are spent watching Yacht Harbour's videos monthly
Playing an increasingly important role for any media company, videos have been a key to Yacht Harbour's success as well with over 800 days worth of videos being watched on our platform every month. The latest Black Pearl video alone reached over 3 million impressions on our network.
#10 Our Facebook page outranks its nearest competition 10 to 1
Owing much of its success to social media, Yacht Harbour has always tried to dominate the space in the superyacht sector and Facebook is currently the most reflective of this paradigm. Whereas Yacht Harbour gets 36,500 engagements on its page every week, the nearest competition currently sits at 3,300 engagements per week.
#11 It took us over 20,000 hours to build the Timeline platform
A major step forward in yacht search, Yacht Harbour's Timeline platform was launched in May 2017 after over 20,000 hours of research. The platform, compared to a Bloomberg terminal for yachting, lets its subscribers track the market in real time, discover the story behind any yacht and find the best deals on the market with big data.
Photos by Julien Hubert
The 91.5-metre Oceanco superyacht Tranquility has been listed for sale via Camper & Nicholsons, who has been responsible for her charter management. The superyacht was acquired for $126,000,000 by Genting Malaysia Bhd in April 2019, as a result of corruption scandal linked to Jho Low.The long running saga around the yacht dates back to August 2018, when the Indonesian authorities seized Low Taek Jho’s superyacht at the request of the US Department of Justice, and transferred her to Malaysia. It is alleged, that the yacht was originally purchased by Low Taek Jho using money embezzled from the 1MDB state fund.Shortly afterwards, Tranquility was put on sale as a part of the effort to recover funds stolen by Low and his cohorts from the state fund, according to The Independent. In the meantime, the vessel’s maintenance had cost the government over $3,500,000 since her reclaiming in August 2018.After several rounds of sale process, the highest bid was received from Genting Group, a Malaysia-based investment holding and management company, engaged in
October 21, 2019
One of the leading Dutch builders, Heesen has announced the sale of YN 20067, a 67-metre steel FDHF fully designed by UK-based studio Winch Design. With her delivery scheduled to 2023, she is the third sale by Heesen in 2019.First presented at the Monaco Yacht Show 2018 as Project Avanti, this new design has captured the attention of the client with its dynamic architecture. The owner, an experienced charterer and yacht connoisseur, has appointed Arcon Yachts as project manager. The elegant sheer line of Project Sparta connects a strong bow to an inviting transom, trademarked with a stepped aft deck area with a five-metre infinity pool. The yacht also features a raised pilothouse conceived by Winch Design for a new-look sporty profile.With a top speed of 16 knots and FDHF devised by Van Oossanen, Project Sparta is said to be extremely efficient, too. She features a maximum range of 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. The superyacht features impressive interior volume of 1,200 GT. The layout is characterised by a full beam salon on the main deck. This feature, unique on a vessel of this size, makes Project Sparta a true pocket mega-yacht. The indoor dining area connects to the aft deck terrace, which is protected on both sides for optimal comfort, and allows for a smooth transition, both at anchor and when underway. Four guest suites are located forward on the main deck. Thanks to a sliding partition, the two forward cabins can convert to a full-beam VIP.An off-centre spiral staircase with glass elevator services all three decks. The lower deck houses a walk-in wellness area with oval Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gymnasium, as well as the crew quarters and galley.The owner has reserved the entire bridge deck for himself. Two suites are located one forward with its private outdoor lounge area located fore, and the other facing aft with access to the private terrace with outdoor dining and lounging.Meanwhile, the yard has just shared construction update on 60-metre steel Project Falcon. The builder also confirms that no less than 13 yachts are currently under construction at Heesen facility.
October 21, 2019
Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman partnered with ThirtyC design studio and Dykstra Naval Architects have introduced a 'double' superyacht concept during the Monaco Yacht Show 2019. The design concept complements the earlier revealed 88-metre sailing superyacht Lotus with a 70-metre companion vessel Lotus’ Shadow.A 'next-generation' twin project from the British design studio ThirtyC, ‘Lotus’ bridges the gap between the experience of sailing and the adventure of the motor yacht lifestyle. Designed with the combination of dual-mast DynaRig sailing yacht and rugged Support Vessel, Lotus aims at unbridled freedom for both the journey and the destination.The lightweight, high-tech 88-metre sailing yacht represents the primary vessel in this 'private armada', offering owners speed, precision sailing and the ability to cruise the world in comfort or compete in global superyacht regattas. This versatility is due to the world’s first twin-mast DynaRig structure, meaning Lotus has the potential to become one of the most technologically advanced and fastest sailing yacht of her kind on the water.Drawn with signature ThirtyC style, Lotus has been born out of collaboration with Royal Huisman and DynaRig specialists Dykstra Naval Architects. The project opts for complete customisation, open spaces, reduced complexity in terms of both rigging and crew as well as an engineering package that fits both luxury and agility on the water.Able to accommodate up to 16 guests across eight cabins and a master suite, Lotus features a 2,200 square-metre sail area and a top speed of 20 knots.As to the 70-metre support vessel Lotus’ Shadow, she is designed to prepare for the sailing yacht’s arrival at any given destination. She will be packed to the brim with toys, tenders, cars, helicopters and other items that enhance the experience of travelling the globe.The vessel is highlighted by a 1.312-square-foot space for housing tenders, toys, helicopters, cars and even a submarine upon request. Moreover, she would offer room for the crew of 18 and 8 guests across 4 cabins.The motor yacht side of the duo, the aggressively styled, futuristic and clean design of the support vessel works with the aesthetic of the sailing yacht to act as a complete package. On the water, the functionality of the support vessel also complements the lifestyle of the sailing yacht, bringing with it entourages, pilots, doctors, and any guides or team members to help make the journey more than unique.
October 18, 2019
Italian superyacht builder Ferretti SpA has announced its withdrawal from public listing of 30% of the company’s shares on the Milan stock exchange. The decision has been altered from the earlier course on returning to the listing.The group already considered a return to the stock market back in 2008 but then the process was hindered by global financial crisis. The current change of plans is stipulated by no sufficient valuation under current market conditions, despite a number of positive applications, the company says.The first auction with the participation of Ferretti on the Milan Stock Exchange was to take place on October 21. The company planned to put up a 30% stake. However, by the end of the IPO period, which lasted first from October 1 to 10, and then prolonged until October 15.Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti SpAFerretti saw lowering of its indicative price range for shares from the initial target of €2.50 to €3.70 per share to only between €2.00 and €2.50. That said, it would have meant a market valuation of € 581 million instead of aimed €1.08 billion.Ferretti was acquired by Chinese industrial conglomerate Weichai Group in 2012. Under the Chinese management, the company succeeded to return from the crisis stage back to profit in 2017, paying off the debts through the activity of Riva and Pershing brands.Currently, Weichai Group controls 75% of the company’s stake, with 13% bought by an heir of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the iconic Italian supercar maker, in 2016.However, in the new prospective, Alberto Galassi, CEO of the company, said in 2020 a share of about 30% might be sold to some new investor from Europe, reported Reuters.For the moment, The Ferretti Group comprises eight brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, CRN, Custom Line, Itama, Mochi Craft and Wally, the latest acquisition closed in April 2019. The brands portfolio is set to produce 43 models altogether. Meanwhile, the company revealed at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2019, it had received an equity injection of €250 million from Weichai Group and Piero Ferrari through F Investments.
October 18, 2019
If you have always dreamed of chartering genuine James-Bond-style vessel, there is a perfect value for money on charter market. The 33-metre Sunseeker Predator yacht Casino Royale that appeared in Casino Royale (2006) James Bond movie, is available for charter with Camper & Nicholsons for €65,000 (approx. $72,000) per week.The performance motor yacht from well-known Sunseeker Predator series was delivered in 2004. Casino Royale sports a navy blue hull with sweeping windows. Delivered in 2004 and refitted in 2016, Casino Royale actually featured in the 2006 James Bond movie, filmed in the Bahamas and appearing on multiple occasions.A shot from Casino Royale (2006)Casino Royale's minimal superstructure and narrow hull ensure her graceful and agile sliding on the water. With triple 16 cylinder MTU V16 2000 engines with Arneson drives, she boasts a maximum speed of 45 knots and comfortable cruising speed of 30-33 knots.The yacht’s open plan salon boasts features of larger yachts, thanks to her 2.7-metre headroom, non-typical for a yacht of her size. Immaculate and pristine, the main salon is furnished with warm woods and neutral undertones complimented with a retractable sun roof above the dining area.Aft of the main deck is a sumptuous lounging space with al fresco dining area, bar and very large sunpad. A Jacuzzi is laid forward, with a very generous space for sunbathing and lounging.On the lower deck, the yacht offers accommodation to up to eight guests across four cabins (owner’s cabin, one VIP and two twins), where each stateroom has its own en suite marble bathroom and television. Her master suite comprises a master study, a bathroom with a full-size bathtub and shower, and a walk-in wardrobe.Casino Royale's entertainment and leisure facilities comprise satellite TV system and a plethora of water toys such as a Sea Doo, stand-up paddleboards, water skis, snorkelling equipment and more.The vessel underwent extensive refit works in 2016, that cost EUR 1.5 million in total. Casino Royale is currently docked in Western Mediterranean.For other vessels spotted in movies, check our list of 10 most stunning superyachts ever featured in movies.
October 17, 2019